Marie E. Sheppard

June 29, 2002

CROAKER — Marie E. Sheppard of Croaker, Virginia, died on Thursday, June 27, 2002, in Williamsburg Community Hospital. She was a graduate of James City County Training School. After graduating from high school, she continued her education and graduated from Wilberforce University in Wilberforce, Ohio.

Well-known as an educator in the District of Columbia Public School System, Ms. Sheppard retired from the system after many years of service. She was active in The District of Columbia Truant Officers' Association, The DC Teachers' Association and the National Education Association. Upon retiring from the District of Columbia School System, she returned to Williamsburg.

She was a lifelong member of First Baptist Church, Williamsburg, where she served as Chairperson of the History Committee. In this capacity, she completed the research for a book on the history of First Baptist Church. Her work on this project -- which spanned a 25-year period -- involved extensive correspondence and meetings with surviving family members of past ministers, with church and Colonial Williamsburg historians, with biblical scholars and with university professors from across the United States.

Ms. Sheppard was also a member of Pride of Grove, Chapter No. 181, Order of Eastern Star and Lambda Kappa Mu Sorority Inc.

She was predeceased by her parents, James and Norma Sheppard, and her sister, Ann Carey Sheppard Frierson. She is survived by five cousins, Mary E. Reid of Williamsburg, Virginia, Mangrum and James Pickett, both of Hampton, and Mary Hargraves and Lucille Spurlock, both of Newport News; and a host of other loving relatives and many caring friends.

A funeral service celebrating the life she lived will be held 1 p.m. Monday, July 1, at First Baptist Church, on Scotland Street, Williamsburg, Virginia, with Dr. Thomas Shields officiating. Interment will follow in Shiloh Baptist Church Cemetery in Croaker. Family and friends will assemble at 8780 Croaker Road by 12 noon on Monday. Ms. Sheppard may be viewed in the funeral home from 3 to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Professional service entrusted to the staff of Whiting's Funeral Home, Williamsburg.